Kissing the Clouds on Mt Kenya

Kissing the Clouds on Mt Kenya

Resting nicely in Central Kenya, Mt Kenya is the pride of Kenyan skies. It is a fixture in Kenyan history. It is a common name in Kenyan schools from a very young age. For some, it is home. For others the mountain holds religious and spiritual relevance. It is also a destination for one of the most adventurous yet affordable hiking trips. It is a sensational trek up a formidable mountain that ends in triumph and pride. 

Key Attractions

• Standing as the tallest mountain in Kenya and second after Kilimanjaro in Africa, Kissing the Clouds on Mt Kenya has a lot to show. 
• It has three peaks, each one different from the other. They are named after Maasai chiefs. 
• The climb to the top is rife with a varied encounter with different kinds of vegetation. The lower slopes boast elegant forests of bamboo. The terrain also gets rocky at certain points. Then again, the ecosystem you encounter will be dependent on which peak you pick to summit. 
• The very drive to the starting point of your climb through the Central Kenyan countryside will be a treat in itself. Affordable hiking trips may sometimes fall short as organizers may be more focused on saving money than enhancing the experience with the available resources. Let’s Drift strikes a balance between planning affordable hiking trips and affording their members fun weekends. 

Challenge Level

Climbing Mt Kenya is going to be extremely challenging. Some of the peaks will be a lot more challenging than others but they will all be challenging, it is just up to you to decide how to go about it mentally.

Logistics

The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to Meru County. The journey to the starting point is about two hours long. 

 What do you need for the trail?

Clothes

1. Waterproof hiking boots*
2. Trail runners or sandals for use at camp
3. Woolen hiking socks (6 pairs)*
4. Leg gaiters
5. Hiking pants (2 pairs water-resistant, 1 pair waterproof)*
6. Thermal pants (2 pairs, medium or heavy-duty, breathable)*
7. Woolen or polyester underwear (briefs)*
8. Thermal t-shirt (4, long sleeve)*
9. Polyester t-shirts (4 )*
10. Fleece jacket*
11. Down jacket*
12. Waterproof jacket/shell jacket/poncho*
13. Fleece hat + wide-brimmed hat
14. A scarf or tubular bandana or regular bandana*
15. Waterproof gloves (summit gloves and fleece gloves)*

Camping Gear

1. Hiking backpack (25l or 30l daypack, and a 60L backpack for your porter)*
2. Warm Sleeping bag (four seasons/-5 degrees comfort recommended)*
3. Headlamp and extra batteries*
4. Hot water bottle

Accessories

1. Snacks
2. Thermal flask
3. Hydration bladder/water bottle*
4. Personal items (phone and charger, camera, ID, pocket money, hand sanitizer, facemask, lighter, pocket knife, whistle, basic first aid kit)*
5. Trekking poles
6. Sunglasses + sunscreen
7. Toiletries (wet wipes, dry wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, petroleum jelly)*

Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.

Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift 

Now that you know about Mt Kenya, we hope to see you on the trails!

Can you bring your kids with you?

Definitely NOT. Mt Kenya is not the place to bring kids. 

Similar trails

For mountain climbing enthusiasts, similar trails to Mt Kenya are: 

Mt Kinangop and Mt Suswa